# Import and Export Table Rows

> Import rows into a table from a CSV or Excel file with a check before anything changes, and download any table as a CSV file.

Source: https://docs.theavoxai.com/tables/import-export

Bring rows into a table from a CSV or Excel file, and download any table as a CSV file. Before an

## Import a file

Importing needs **Create and edit tables** and works on active tables (restore an archived table
first).

**1. Choose a file**

Open the table and click **Import**. Choose or drop a file:

- **CSV**: separated by commas, semicolons or tabs (Avox works out which). Exports from Excel,
  Google Sheets and most other apps work as they are.
- **Excel**: `.xlsx` files. Dates stored by Excel as dates are read as dates.

One import takes up to 10,000 rows and 60 columns. Split bigger files into parts. The file is
read in your browser; only its rows are sent to Avox.

**2. Match the columns**

Say whether the first row holds the column names. Then, for each column in the file, choose
where it goes:

- **a column of the table**,
- **a new column**, with a type Avox suggests from the values (you can change it), or
- **Don't import**.

Two file columns can't go into the same table column, and auto number and formula columns are
filled in by Avox.

**3. Update rows that already exist (optional)**

Pick a unique column, like an order number or SKU, to update rows that already have the same
value instead of adding them again. Rows with a new value are added. This makes it safe to import
the same file again after you change it.

**4. Check before importing**

Click **Check the file**. Avox checks every row exactly as the import will, without changing anything, and shows:

- how many rows will be **added**, how many **updated**, and how many are empty and left out,
- every **problem** with its row number and column: a value that doesn't fit the column's type,
  an empty required column, or a value repeated in a unique column (in the file or in the table),
- **new options** that will be added to choice columns,
- **new columns** that will be made, and
- how many more rows fit in the table on your plan.

**5. Import**

Fix the problems in your file and check again, or choose to leave out the rows with problems and
changed in the meantime in a way that would break the import. Large files are saved in parts of
1,000 rows; if a part can't be saved, the summary says which row the import stopped at, and the
rows before it are saved.

> **Tip**
>
> Imported rows follow the same rules as typed ones: numbers like `1,234.50`, dates like `02/11/2026` or `2 Nov 2026`, times like `2:30 pm` and choice names are all read. See [Column types](https://docs.theavoxai.com/tables/column-types#how-typed-and-pasted-values-are-read).

## Paste instead of importing

For a few rows, copy them in your spreadsheet and paste them into the grid. A paste can add up to
1,000 rows. See [Editing a table](https://docs.theavoxai.com/tables/editing#copy-and-paste-with-excel-and-google-sheets).

## Export as CSV

Click **Export** and choose:

- **With column names**: the header row uses the names you see, or
- **With API names**: the header row uses each column's API name, handy for the API and for
  importing again.

The file holds the rows the grid shows: your current search, filters and sort apply. Details:

- Dates and times are written in your own time zone, as `2026-11-02` and `2026-11-02 14:30`.
- Choices are written by name, checkboxes as `TRUE` or `FALSE`, durations as `1:30`.
- Every cell is quoted, and text that starts with `=`, `+`, `-` or `@` gets a leading `'`, so a
  spreadsheet opens it as plain text instead of running it.
- The file starts with a marker that tells Excel it's UTF-8, so names with accents and other
  scripts open correctly.
- WhatsApp contact columns show the contact's name if you have permission to see contacts.
- A file holds up to 100,000 rows.

Anyone with **See tables** can export.

## Errors you might see

| Code | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| [AVX-3482](https://docs.theavoxai.com/error-codes/avx-3482) | Save the file as CSV or `.xlsx` and pick a choice for every file column. |
| [AVX-3483](https://docs.theavoxai.com/error-codes/avx-3483) | Split the file into parts of up to 10,000 rows. |
| [AVX-3484](https://docs.theavoxai.com/error-codes/avx-3484) | Fix the listed rows, or leave them out and import the rest. |
| [AVX-3464](https://docs.theavoxai.com/error-codes/avx-3464) | Not enough room for the new rows on your plan. Delete rows or change plan. |
| [AVX-3474](https://docs.theavoxai.com/error-codes/avx-3474) | New columns would take the table past 50 columns. |
| [AVX-3485](https://docs.theavoxai.com/error-codes/avx-3485) | The download didn't work. Wait a minute and try again. |

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